Neural Plasticity in Human Fathers

Both new mothers and fathers undergo neural changes that support positive adaptation to parenting and the development of parent-infant relationships. In this chapter, we review important psychological adaptations that fathers and mothers experience during the transition to parenthood. We then review evidence of structural and functional plasticity in human fathers’ and mothers’ brains and explore how such plasticity supports their psychological adaptation to parenting and parenting behaviors. Finally, we discuss similar and different vulnerabilities and opportunities for the transition to parenthood in the brains of fathers and mothers and how they may inform interventions.